Venice - Day 2

As much as I love taking photos, I force myself to remember to be consciously present and in the moment. Yes, it'd be nice to have a physical photograph of every little thing, but my mental photographs have been doing a great job. I guess what I'm trying to say is: Don't be so busy taking the photo that you forget to look up and enjoy the visions before you. I make it my business to tuck my camera away only to wander off and enjoy whatever sights I can find. Even if that means stumbling into a church built in the 17th century or an 18th century cemetery. It's crazy how many times I've wandered off alone down a random street or into a small, dark shop just to take a peak. If it's morbid, looks creepy, or just plain scary, you'll find me there observing.

Check out tons more photos and the FULL blog post, ONLY at TheMoniqueMichelle.com!!!

Canada - Day 3

This was the last full day in Canada where we just found an event for something to do. Luckily, it was Jerkfest 2014. Now I can give you some spiel straight from their website, or I can just say it was a festival centered around foods made with jerk seasoning. There was a play area for kids, a mini caribbean concert, and funnel cakes and ice cream trucks. You can't have a festival without funnel cakes and ICE CREAM Trucks!

Get the rest of this post only at TheMoniqueMichelle.com

SHOP TheMoniqueMichelle - Soft Launch

TheMoniqueMichelle.com

Hey Guys! I've been up to a little bit of everything lately. I just just JUST started my new job and have been getting situated with that AND I've been trying to revamp my site the way I originally intended for it to be....all while trying to touch base with you at least once a week. Once a week isn't hardly enough, I'll shoot for 3x. For some time now I've also been in the process of curating the perfect collection of pieces to make available to you. Most of my favorite bloggers are on the west coast, well actually all of them are. I vicariously live through them and their summer/fall-ish pieces all year round. I know fall is coming up but I want my pieces to still be cute and minimal, and when the chill hits outside, just throw on a jean or moto jacket to seal the outfit. I'm in a West Coast state of mind.

Having said all that...while I'm still curating this collection to perfection (rhyme unintended), I've made a couple pieces and accessories available for purchase! I've styled them with additional pieces from my closet, but you can even put them together and head out the door. Everything will ship within 3-5 business days (it'll be more like 2-3 but shhh don't tell anyone) and only within the United States. There is a flat shipping rate of $6. This is a soft roll out so trust me, more is coming very soon. If you have any questions click the CONTACT link and hit me up. 

XO- Monique

P.S. Here's a glimpse of my America the Beautiful, Floral Flag Tee ONLY AVAILABLE AT TheMoniqueMichelle.com

Creme of the Crop Top

Remember that time I went to NYC to be apart of the audience for The Wendy Williams Show? Well, a little shopping happened during that trip and I found my absolute favorite crop top at a Zara located on Fifth Ave. I specify the location because there may be several Zara's in the area, and having visited more than one in the city, I would have to say that this one is my favorite. 

For more photos and details head over to TheMoniqueMichelle.com

Rainy Daze

This past Saturday, the Washington Redskins (NFL) Cheerleaders held tryouts at FedEx Field. I had the honor of being a judge. A lot of people don't know, but I cheered for one measly year of my life. People look at my physique and assume I'm athletic and must have played a sport, but nope, the most I did was cheer (aside from karate for a few years when I was little). I think this one year is the reason I have such respect for cheerleaders and the sport. Now NFL cheering seems more like some type of dance to me and does not seem as intense or physical as say, high school or college cheering. However, I took my job as a judge quite seriously. 

The outfit I chose to wear to the judging was a last minute decision. I opted for a cute, fun and flirty look and was on my way out of the door for a mini photo shoot before heading to the Stadium. The rain had something else in mind... SO it turned into a few quick pics at home, lol.

Get the full blog post and outfit details ONLY at TheMoniqueMichelle.com

So, what had happened was...

Your presence is needed over at TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get the details on this outfit as well as read about where I was when I took it...Also, find out what in the world Claire Sulmers of FashionBombDaily.com has to do with anything....hmmmm HURRY, check it out!

2014 Must Haves (Camel Coats, Boyfriend Jeans, etc.)

I know we are 2+ months into 2014, but it's never too late for a course in the "must haves", especially since it's still pretty chilly out. You may have noticed the trends I am about to point out, and some have been around for a short while, but sit back and enjoy....

Head over to TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get the details of this post! QUICK!

What I Wore

Head to TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get the details on this jumpsuit and blazer! 

#Hanifa14 SS14 - A Black Tie Affair

Last Saturday I attended a fashion showcasing here...

With pieces like this...

Attended by people like this....

RUN to TheMoniqueMichelle.com to get EVERY detail NOW!!

Audrey Hepburn X Native American Chic

So Miss Lauren (IG: @laurenislove) mentioned that she's been looking for an outfit that was Audrey Hepburn meets Native American Chic. I definitely took that as a challenge and put my brain to work. Now, I immediately wanted to simply pair an Audrey Hepburn inspired dress with some moccasins. Simple enough. But when I looked at the end product, it was horrible. I mean, you really can't throw on moccasins with anything like you can a pair of chucks, and I'm all for converse + dressy dresses. What I did come up with was this...

Get the details and full story behind this outfit at TheMoniqueMichelle.com!

Pattern Craze

Voila! The outfit you see here is what I dubbed as "pattern craze". 

If you want the details to this bold and funky fit you can only find them in one place, and that's TheMoniqueMichelle.com in the "The Wishi Diaries x TheMoniqueMichelle" section!

Overalls and Pumps

You don't wanna miss the deers on these overalls and pumps. Check em out at TheMoniqueMichelle.com

Major Stack-age (hashtag NEW RULES)

It has to have been at least a year ago when stacking rings became the fad. Unlike many things, I hope that this one is here to stay. I have been wanting midi rings for months and months, but everyone was charging more than I was willing to pay. The way I look at it is, if I don't even wear jewelry aside from earrings, why on earth would I sell a finger to get a ring. Of course solid gold, luxurious diamond rings sound great, but when they're going to sit on my night stand only to collect dust and tarnish, eh I'll pass. After saying all of this, you must understand my excitement when I was shopping in H&M for some last minute pieces to take with me to Paris, and I see a pack of these rings for about 8 bucks. 

Head over to TheMoniqueMichelle.com for the rest of the post and a ton of pictures that showcase my #NEWRULES to ring stacking

Leather Pencil Skirt x Denim Shirt

One of my favorite outfits, or at least impromptu mini shoots in Paris...

Now you KNOW you're only going to get the outfit details at TheMoniqueMichelle.com head on over there like NOW.

Paris, Day 4

I'm going to be honest with you from the beginning...Day 4 not only went by the quickest, but I got the absolute worst pictures...go to TheMoniqueMichelle.com to find out why!

Also go to get a sneak peak of my, soon to come, next outfit post for DAY 4!!!

Leather Pleated Skirt

Get the deets on what I wore for my 3rd day in Paris only at TheMoniqueMichelle.com !!

Orange Pants! 'nuff said

Head over to TheMoniqueMichelle.com for the details on this comfy Saturday fit.

TheMoniqueMichelle X The Wishi Diaries

So happy to announce my new fashion internship with Wishi. Check out "The Wishi Diaries" section of my site to find out exactly what it entails and stay in the loop!

Orchid in Winter

Ah, I've teased with the two previous posts so I guess it's outfit time, huh?

Not so fast! You gotta head over to TheMoniqueMichelle.com and check out my latest post in "le damn blog" for outfit details! Go on....check it out :)

Paris, Day 2 - Tradeshow Fever Pt. 2

 Capsule Capsule Capsule PARIS! We literally hopped in a cab - right after a brief, impromptu, mini-photoshoot of course - and jetted from Tranoi Homme Paris to the Capsule Show, and what we ran into was yet another beautiful venue to showcase fashion. I'll just slam you with a slideshow...

AHHHHHH DID I GET YA AGAIN? TheMoniqueMichelle.com is the only place the slideshow will be available. Click that link!

In the mean time, here are a couple pics...